Blues blank Flyers to match franchise record

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues acquired Ryan Miller for moments such as these.

Miller stopped 31 shots and kept the net empty in a shootout, too.

He was precisely as advertised, a goalie that be a difference-maker when there’s no room for mistakes.

“Millsy standing on his head — that’s what we brought him here to do,” forward T.J. Oshie said after the Blues outlasted the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 on Tuesday night and matched the franchise record with their 51st win.

“There were some saves where you feel like you’re about to put your head down because it’s going to go in the net, and he seems so calm and just sticks his pad out and saves it.”

Miller is 10-3-1 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .920 save percentage since coming in a trade with Buffalo.

Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk scored in the shootout for the Blues, who have 109 points — one fewer than Boston for the top spot in the NHL.

They’re 9-3 in the shootout largely because of Oshie, who’s an uncanny 9-for-12 after converting a backhand, and also put on quite a show at the Sochi Olympics.

“Yeah, I knew he was good and I knew what to expect,” Ray Emery said. “But he was real quick on that one.”

Miller earned his 29th career shutout and first in 101 games since March 21, 2012, against Montreal when he was with Buffalo. He made a skate save against Vincent Lecavalier and a glove save on Claude Giroux — who’s 5-for-10 — in the shootout.

Emery, the Flyers’ backup making just his third start since the beginning of March, earned his 16th career shutout and second this season.

“He definitely won us a point tonight,” Flyers forward Scott Hartnell said. “In two weeks when the season’s over we’ll see how big that point is.”

Sharks 5, Oilers 4

In San Jose, Patrick Marleau scored his 32nd goal of the season with 7:29 left in the third period to lift the Sharks over Edmonton.

Sabres 3, Devils 2 (SO)

In Buffalo, Tyler Ennis scored twice in the third period and again in the shootout.

Avs 3, Blue Jackets 2 (OT)

In Columbus, Gabriel Landeskog scored twice, including a power-play goal at 4:27 of overtime to help the Avalanche extend their winning streak to four.

Lightning 3, Canadiens 1

In Tampa, Tyler Johnson scored the go-ahead goal on a short-handed breakaway late in the third period and the Lightning clinched a playoff berth.

Jets 2, Coyotes 1 (SO)

In Glendale, Arizona, Andrew Ladd scored in regulation and in the second round of the shootout.

Hurricanes 4, Penguins 1

In Pittsburgh, rookie Elias Lindholm scored twice for the first multigoal game of his career and Carolina denied the Penguins a chance to wrap up the Metropolitan Division title.

Stars 5, Capitals 0

In Washington, Tyler Seguin scored his 33rd goal and Dustin Jeffrey got his first two of the season.

Rangers 3, Canucks 1

In Vancouver, Martin St. Louis scored his first goal with New York.

Islanders 4, Panthers 2

In Uniondale, New York, Josh Bailey had a goal and assist.

Maple Leafs 3, Flames 2

In Toronto, the Maple Leafs snapped an eight-game losing streak to remain in the playoff chase.